Islamabad : Patients admitted in surgical ward 5 of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) were safely evacuated Thursday after a fire broke out, apparently on account of short-circuiting caused by an electric heater in the Doctor’s duty room.
No injuries or casualties were reported as rescue workers of the Fire Brigade efficiently brought the fire under control following efforts spread over half an hour.
There was initially some panic among patients and attendants as smoke engulfed the entire ward after a few mattresses caught fire. However, the situation was brought under control, and the fire was restricted. Patients were initially moved outdoors, and then accommodated in Surgical Ward 4.
An inquiry into the incident has been ordered and a report will shortly be submitted. The inquiry committee is led by Prof. Iqbal Memon and has Dr. Zafar Iqbal Malik, Dr. Ejaz Qadeer, Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Dr. Shaukat Ali Cheema, and security assistant Mehboob Abassi as its members. A CDA official will also be included in the committee.
